Drainage means for window or similar frames



Feb. 6, 1934. w. E. LEIGH DRAINAGE MEANS FOR WINDOW OR SIMILAR FRAMES Filed Sept. 15, 1932 3444) v/wtr,

WELazy/Z m R n 1 Mi a I a w NIP W Patented Feb. 6, 1934 UNETEB STATES DRAINAGE BEANS FQR WINDQW 0R SIMI- LAR FRAMES Willis 1E. Leigh, Elizabeth City, N. C.

Application September 15, 1932 Serial No. 633,350

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in window frames, sash frames, door frames and the like and relates particularly to an improved means for preventing the passage of water therethrough by draining oi the same from between the movable elements forming a part thereof.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel means for draining frames, particularly window frames, to prevent the beating of rain through to the inside of the frame, thereby damaging the interior finish or articles within the room into which the frame structure opens.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window 01' similar frame with means for draining off water which may work in between the frame and the sash or door therein and which means also serves to drain the chambers at the sides of the frame, such for example, as the side chambers of a window frame in which the weights operate.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drainage means for a window frame or the like which is entirely hidden from View and which does not, therefore, spoil or otherwise affect the appearance of the frame.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed descrip tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 is a view in cross section of a window frame from which the sash has been removed, showing the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially upon the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view in front elevation of a modified form of sill.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

the numeral 1 indicates the bottom rail or sill of a window frame which is provided at either end with the usual transverse mortise or gain 2 in which are secured the lower ends of the jambs 3.

Disposed vertically upon the sill and connecting with each of the jambs 3 is the usual outer face panel 4 and the areas 5 overlying the sill at the back of the jarnbs cooperate with the adjacent wall structure in which the frame is placed to form a chamber for the sash weights.

A portion of the lower sash for the frame is indicated by the numeral 6.

In carrying out the present invention the top surface of the sill has a slot 7 out therein along the area which is covered by the bottom rail of the sash 6 when the same is down upon the sill and the bottom of this slot slopes downwardly from either end as indicated at 8 to a low point 9 which is substantially midway between its ends.

As shown, this slot '7, which constitutes a drainage chamber, extends at its ends beyond the gains 2 so that it will open into the chambers 5 in which the sash weights are located.

A bore 10 is formed transversely through the sill from the rear edge face thereof to a point short of the front edge face as is clearly shown in Figure 2 and the under side of the sill adjacent the front edge face is provided with the elongated chamber 11 into the upper part of which the bore 10 opens. The rear end of the bore is closed by a plug 12 so as to prevent a draft of air passing through this passage and as is shown in Figures 1 and 2 the bore passes through the drainage chamber at the low point 9 thereof.

From the foregoing it will be readily seen, particularly upon referring to Figure 2, that when the sill is connected with the other parts of the frame so that it will be in the slightly inclined position which it usually assumes, any water striking against the sash 6 and passing under the same will enter the chamber 7 instead of working through to the inside of the window and will drain off from the chamber into the bore 10 and from there pass forwardly and downwardly to the outside of the building through the outlet 11.

When the sills are mounted upon masonry walls where it is customary for them to be flush or substantially flush with the outside, the lower portion of the front edge of the sill may be provided with a cut away area 12 to provide a front outlet.

While in the foregoing specification the description of the present invention has been confined chiefly to window frames it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to such application for it will be readily apparent that the idea may be incorporated in frames of other types, such for example, as door frames or the like, in which case the water collecting chamber '7 would be located beneath the bottom edge of the door when the latter is closed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:-

In a frame structure having a bottom sill, upright side members and a closure element disposed between the upright side members, means for preventing the passage of water between the closure element and the sill, consisting of a recess formed longitudinally in the top face of the sill and extending at its ends beyond said upright side members, said recess having a bottom inclining downwardly from each end to a central low point, a tubular passage leading from said central low point forwardly through the body of the sill to a point short of the front edge face thereof, and said sill having a recess cut upwardly from the under face adjacent said front edge face into which said tubular passage opens and further having a recess cut in its under face and having the last mentioned recess opening thereinto and at one side opening through the said front edge face of the sill.

WILLIS E. LEIGH. 

